Results 3,021-3,040 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Naval Service (8 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The future use of naval vessels currently in service or that have been decommissioned is a matter for the Department of Defence. My Department would of course consider any request by the Department of Defence to assist with undertaking a heritage feasibility study. It should be noted that the primary responsibility of my Department in relation to maritime heritage (under the National...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (8 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I have committed to the establishment of a stakeholder forum on the sustainable hunting of wild birds. All relevant stakeholders will be invited to take part such as hunting organisations (including the organisations referenced). , eNGOs, Government Departments and farming organisations.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (13 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together. The general scheme of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Bill was published in December 2022. Following the scrutiny of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, my Department has been working in close collaboration with parliamentary drafters to develop this Bill. While it was initially hoped to publish in 2023, the legal, technical and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Marine Protected Areas (13 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 to 385, inclusive, together. For the purposes of this reply, Special Protection Areas (SPAs) have a marine element if their boundary encompasses marine waters. 39 such SPAs have published detailed site-specific conservation objective documents. In addition to Activities Requiring Consent, across all of Ireland’s Special Protection Areas...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Strategies (13 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Implementation of the National Landscape Strategy is implicit in many of the actions taken across the built and natural heritage sphere. The current work being undertaken across Government in the context of the land use review will supplant and overtake that strategy. Meantime, my Department has made very substantial progress on issues of habitat and wildlife protection, which are tied...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (13 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Waterways Ireland proposes to update the Shannon Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws which are more than 30 years old and no longer fit for purpose. The needs of users have changed, environmental landscape and health and safety considerations have developed significantly and the waterways themselves have been transformed over the past thirty years. The purpose of updating the Bye-laws is to make the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (13 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The information requested is provided in the table below as of the 31 January 2024, the latest date for which the information is available. There has been a sustained increase in the number of Conservation Rangers employed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in recent years and I am committed to reaching the recommended number of 120 Rangers for the Service in the course of the current...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Schemes (13 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department currently offers capital funding spread over more than one year to support heritage structures through several programmes. The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) is administered by my Department in conjunction with the Local Authorities and aims to support owners of heritage buildings in maintaining the fabric of their protected structures. Stream 2 of the HSF is targeted at...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hen Harriers (13 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The latest report on the status of breeding Hen Harrier in Ireland was published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department last week. The conservation of Hen Harrier is now one of the most urgent bird conservation priorities in Ireland. A draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan has been developed over a number of years in consultation with the many stakeholders who too have...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (13 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Wildlife crime is a serious issue seen across many jurisdictions that poses a threat to our biodiversity and the sustainable development of countless communities. Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity contribute to the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework through National Biodiversity Action Plans. Ireland's 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) 2023-...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: At the outset, I will explain that An Bord Pleanála is independent in the performance of its functions under the planning Act, and the role of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the planning system is primarily to provide a policy and legislative framework under which the planning authorities, namely, the Office of the Planning Regulator, OPR, and An...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: l am not going to comment on specific cases and nor do think that is appropriate

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Nor do I think it is appropriate to bring specific case numbers into the House.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I do not think it is appropriate.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As I outlined in my opening statement, a root and branch reform of our planning system is under way through the new Planning and Development Bill and the provision of significant additional resources to and reform of An Bord Pleanála, which I think has been welcomed by everyone in this House. The statistics speak for themselves with the numbers of case files being heard and deliberated...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I ask the Deputy to stay for the response.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: In conclusion, I have given my reply to the Deputy. It is disingenuous that he walked out while I was speaking. That really is disingenuous of the Deputy while I am here addressing a question that he bought here. I have given my reply to him and that is the end of that.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with that. It is disgraceful.